Support for hammocks or beds



(No Model.)

W M LYON SUPPORT FOR HAMMOOKS 0R BEDS.

Patented Oct. 31,1890.v

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM M. LYON, OF UNION BRIDGE, MARYLAND.

SUPPORT FOR HAMMOCKS OR BEDS.

SPECIFICATION forming; part of Letters Patent No. 438,630, dated October 21, 1890.

Serial No. 33 7,218. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM M. LYON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Union Bridge, in the county of Carroll and State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Support for Hammocks or Beds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to supports for hammocks or beds, being as it isa combined hammock and cot-bed; and it consists in the specific arrangement of the end and cross pieces of the frame, their location, and their manner of connection, as Well as in the specific means for supporting the hammock at the upper end of said end pieces, all as will be hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved device in its extended position when arranged to form a bed. Fig. 2 is a similar view when arranged as a hammock. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the upper end of one of the crossed pieces. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the connection between the hammock and the adjusting-cord.

Referring by letter to the drawings, E E represent the end pieces, of which there are two pairs, pivoted by a bolt 13 at their centers, as shown in the drawings. The end pieces of one side are precisely the same as those on the opposite side, the left-hand end piece being pivoted inside, and the right-hand piece outside the corresponding pieces of the other side, so that when the four end pieces are folded together the two inside pieces will fold inside the two outside pieces and all four will stand in the same longitudinal plane. By this arrangement the end pieces of the framework are capable of being folded together for transportation or storage into a very compact and comparatively small space, which is highly desirable in devices of this character. Each respective pair of end pieces E E is connected by braces B, crossing and secured at their central points I), and their outer ends standing flush with the outerfaces of the end pieces to which they are secured, all such outer ends being secured to the edges of the end pieces on their outer sides, whereby when the frame-work is in its folded position the braces will in no way interfere with the end pieces of the other side coming into longitudinal alignment, as above described.

The upper ends of the end pieces are provided with eyes I, around or'in which is strung a single cord 0, the ends of which are passed outside of one end piece and are adapted to be tied or knotted together, whereby the size of the rectangle which said cord forms when in position may be adjusted when desired. This cord is rove through eyelets or rings sewed into the edges of a canvas or other hammock, or it may be passed through the meshes of a woven hammock, or in any suitable way or manner secured along the edges and across the ends of the same. I prefer, however, to so connect this cord with the ham mock that the latter may slip thereon, in order that when the user is resting in the hammock it maybe permitted to yield to aconsiderable extent to any inequalities of strain, and in order, further, that the cord 0 where its ends are tied together may be untied and drawn in or let out without necessarily disconnect ing or even removing the hammock from its position.-

When it is desired to use my improved device as a hammock-supporter, the end pieces are brought to about the position shown in Fig. 2, and hooks H, which are pivoted to eyes it on the inner edges of the inner legs, are engaged at their hooked ends with eyes M on the inner side edges of the outer legs, whereby said end pieces or legs are held rela tively against lateral movement in the position shown in said figure. The cord 0 is then drawn to the desired tension according to the weight the hammock is to support and to the amount of sag it is desired to permit it to have, (which latter will depend generally upon whether the occupant desires to swing or not,) and the protruding ends are fastened by being knotted to each other.

When it is desired to use the device as a cot-bed, the hooks H are unfastened and the end pieces or legs E are opened to their fullest capacity, as shown in Fig. 1, whereby the upper arms of the inner of said end pieces just above their pivotal points will rest upon the upper side of the upper braces connected with the outer end pieces on the opposite side of the frame, as shown at O in said figure. By

this means the end pieces are prevented from opening to too great an extent; but in addition the cord 0 (which, of course, must first have been let out) will assist in maintaining the upper ends of the end pieces in their proper position. It will be understood, of course, that in this instance the hammock S will be distended and drawn quite tight, and will form the bottom of a bed, upon which clothing may be placed, if desired, or even a mattress. v

The braces 13 at all times prevent the end pieces from having any longitudinal motion, especially in view of the fact that such braces are crossed and rigidly connected at their centers, and as the result I am enabled to produce a device wherein there is no disagreeable central rod between the pivotal points of the two pairs of end pieces and no disagreeable connections of any kind between the upper ends of the side pieces or above the hammock.

The frame-workis made preferably of wood and of size and weight which will give it sufficient strength and yet render it light enough to be easily transported.

Having described my invention, What I claim is 1. The combination, with the folding logs of the frame-work, and with means, substantially as described, for holding them apart, of the cord C, loosely connected with the four upper ends of said legs and knotted between two of said ends, and the hammock S, loosely connected at its edges and ends with said cord, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the frame-Work, of the cord C, loosely connected with the four upper corners of said frame-work, and the hammock S, loosely connected at its edges and ends with said cord, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM M. LYON.

Vitnesses:

JOHN R. EPPLEN, PETER \VELDEN. 

